Apparatus and Method of Play for a Football Tossing Game

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and a method of play for a ball tossing game is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a ball and two posts. The posts can include additional features such as rings, flags, or any type of marking. The two posts are placed on a playing surface at a distance from each other. Players stand near one post and take turns throwing the ball at the opposite post. When a ball strikes a portion of the post, or passes through a feature of the post, one or more points are awarded to the throwing team. Play continues until one of the teams achieves a predetermined score. Variations of play can include an activity area where a team performs a predetermined activity to receive points or to block the opposing team from receiving points.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recreational games based on tossing a ball or other object at a target are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,382,028, issued on Jan. 17, 1995, to Sciandra et al., discloses an apparatus and method of play for a disc tossing game that uses cylindrical containers with slots in the front. However, there is an unmet demand and continuing need in the art for a ball tossing game that is relatively inexpensive and easy to learn, can be played indoors or outdoors, and can be played by people of any age or ability. The present invention addresses this continuing demand and need in the art.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method of play for a ball tossing game. In one embodiment, the method of play for a ball tossing game comprises: assigning players to two teams, determining a starting team and a non-starting team from the two teams, placing a first post and a second post at opposite ends of a playing area, positioning a starting team player near the first post, positioning a non-starting team player near the second post, positioning any remaining starting team players near the first post or the second post, positioning any remaining non-starting team players near the first post or the second post, tossing a ball by the starting team player at the second post, wherein if the ball strikes a portion of the second post at least one point is awarded to the starting team, tossing the ball by the non-starting team player at the first post, wherein if the ball strikes a portion of the first post at least one point is awarded to the starting team, and alternating tosses of the ball between the starting team and the non-starting team until a team matches or exceeds a predetermined winning point total, wherein any player positioned near the first post tosses the ball at the second post, and any player positioned near the second post tosses the ball at the first post.

In one embodiment, if the starting team matches or exceeds the predetermined point total before the non-starting team, the non-starting team is given one additional toss to meet or exceed the point total starting team. In one embodiment, the starting team and non-starting team each comprises two players.

In one embodiment, the first post and the second post each comprise a staff portion. In another embodiment, the first post and the second post each comprise one or more flags. In one such embodiment, if a player strikes a portion of the one or more flags with a tossed ball the player is awarded one or more points. In one such embodiment, the point total awarded for striking a portion of the one or more flags is greater than the point total for striking the staff portion. In one embodiment, the first post and the second post each comprise one or more rings or hoops. In one such embodiment, if a player tosses the ball through a ring or hoop the player is awarded one or more points. In one such embodiment, the point total awarded for tossing the ball through a ring or hoop is greater than the point total for striking the staff portion. In one such embodiment, the point total awarded for tossing the ball through a ring or hoop is equal to the predetermined winning point total.

In one embodiment, the playing area further comprises an activity area. In one such embodiment, when a player strikes a post with a tossed ball, opposing team players are repositioned to the activity area. In one such embodiment, the opposing team players perform a predetermined activity after being repositioned in the activity area. In one such embodiment, the opposing team players are positioned in the activity area, the players from the team whose player struck the post with a tossed ball toss the ball at a post at an opposite end of the playing area. In one such embodiment, when the opposing team players complete the predetermined activity, the post-striking team stop tossing the ball at a post.

In one embodiment, the apparatus for a ball tossing game comprises: two or more posts, wherein each post comprises a staff portion, and a set of instructions for playing a ball tossing game according to any of the methods of play for a ball tossing game described herein. In one embodiment, each post comprises one or more rings connected to the staff portion, said one or more rings having an opening suitably sized to allow the ball pass through. In one embodiment, each post comprises one or more flags connected to the staff portion. In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a ball. In one such embodiment, the ball is a football.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities of the embodiments shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing one aspect of an exemplary embodiment of the game of the present invention.

FIG. 2, comprising FIGS. 2A through 2E, is a series of diagrams showing exemplary embodiments of a post forming part of the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 through FIG. 9 is a series of flowcharts showing exemplary embodiments of method of play of the game of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of the present invention have been simplified to illustrate elements that are relevant for a clear understanding of the present invention, while eliminating, for the purpose of clarity, many other elements found in the art related to recreational games and methods of play. Those of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that other elements and/or steps are desirable and/or required in implementing the present invention. However, because such elements and steps are well known in the art, and because they do not facilitate a better understanding of the present invention, a discussion of such elements and steps is not provided herein. The disclosure herein is directed to all such variations and modifications to such elements and methods known to those skilled in the art.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods, materials and components similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials are described.

As used herein, each of the following terms has the meaning associated with it in this section.

The articles “a” and “an” are used herein to refer to one or to more than one (i.e., to at least one) of the grammatical object of the article. By way of example, “an element” means one element or more than one element.

“About” as used herein when referring to a measurable value such as an amount, a temporal duration, and the like, is meant to encompass variations of ±20%, ±10%, ±5%, ±1%, or ±0.1% from the specified value, as such variations are appropriate.

Throughout this disclosure, various aspects of the invention can be presented in a range format. It should be understood that the description in range format is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the description of a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all the possible subranges as well as individual numerical values within that range. For example, description of a range such as from 1 to 6 should be considered to have specifically disclosed subranges such as from 1 to 3, from 1 to 4, from 1 to 5, from 2 to 4, from 2 to 6, from 3 to 6 etc., as well as individual numbers within that range, for example, 1, 2, 2.7, 3, 4, 5, 5.3, 6 and any whole and partial increments therebetween. This applies regardless of the breadth of the range.

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method of play for a ball tossing game that can be played in any suitable outdoor or indoor space. In one embodiment, the general object of the game is to toss a ball at one of two posts, wherein points are awarded for striking the posts, and wherein different point values can be awarded depending on what portion of the post is struck. In another embodiment, the game of the present invention can include an activity area, wherein one team is sent to the activity area to perform a predetermined task after the opposing team strikes a portion of a post with the ball. In various embodiments, the game of the present invention can be constructed from components that are inexpensive, portable, and easy to assemble. Further, the game is easy to learn and can be played by people of varying skill levels.

Referring now to FIG. 1, in various embodiments, the game 5 of the present invention can be played on any playing area 10, such as any outdoor field or any indoor room, having sufficient space to accommodate the various aspects of the game as described herein. The method of playing the game involves players 12 taking turns throwing a ball at a post 20. In one embodiment, the game is played by two opposing teams, for example by four players divided into two, two-player teams, wherein the teams take turns throwing a ball at one of two posts 20. Posts 20 are placed at opposite ends of field or room 10. In one embodiment, the ball used in the game of the present invention can be a football, i.e., an American football. However, the game can be played with any other type of ball, object, or projectile.

Referring now to FIG. 2, posts 20 that are used as targets for the ball-throwing players in the game of the present invention generally include a pole or staff portion 22, and can include various other features. In one embodiment, the posts can include one or more rings 24 that are suitably sized for the ball to pass through. In one embodiment, the posts can include one or more flags 26, or another type of target, connected to staff portion 22 that can move when struck by a thrown ball. For example, flags 26 can spin or rotate, either around the post or around an axis other than the post. In another embodiment, the posts can include other features, for example, portions or segments 27 of post 20 can be colored differently or otherwise marked to correspond to different point values. FIG. 2 lists exemplary dimensions for various portions of various embodiments of posts 20. However, the posts of the present invention are not limited to any specific dimensions or sizes, and can be any size or dimension. For example, the size or dimensions of posts 20 can be modified based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to: the size of the playing area; the number of players or number of teams; the size or age of the players; the ball or throwing object being used; and/or the scoring system of the game.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of the method of play 100 for the game of the present invention is shown. First, teams are chosen 110 and the posts are set up 120. The determination of which team starts play 130 can be performed via a coin flip or any other procedure as would be understood by a person skilled in the art, and/or as decided by the players. In one embodiment, players from the same team stand near the same post 140. In another embodiment, players from the same team stand near opposite posts. Play begins with a first player from the starting team tossing the ball towards the opposite post, i.e., the post at the other end of the playing field from the player 150. After the first player from the starting team throws the first ball, play continues with a player from the same team throwing the next ball 160. Alternatively, a player from the opposing team can throw the next ball after the first player from the starting team throws the first ball. Play further continues with the two teams alternating turns 170 until one team reaches or exceeds a predetermined point total 180.

Points are awarded to the team throwing the ball when the ball strikes a post or a target connected to the post, or when a thrown ball travels through a ring or other feature of a post. Accordingly, in various embodiments, the game includes a scoring system. Various exemplary embodiments of method of play 100 with different scoring systems are shown in FIGS. 3 through 8. Points can be awarded in increasing amounts based on the difficulty of achieving a given result. For example, in one embodiment, when the staff portion of the post is struck with a ball, one point is awarded to the team that threw the ball; two points are awarded to a team throwing a ball that strikes a flag connected to the post; and three points are awarded to a team throwing a ball that goes through a ring or hoop connected to, or located within, the post. As described later herein, in another embodiment, points can be awarded to a team based on criteria other than, or in addition to, the ball striking or traveling through a post, such as performing a designated activity. Further, in one embodiment, a negative point value can be assigned to a given result, i.e., points can be subtracted from a team's total after a throw, for example if the thrower strikes a section of the staff designated as a negative point section.

The predetermined winning point total can be any number of points as would be understood by a person skilled in the art, for example, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 21, or any other point total. In one embodiment, the predetermined winning point total can be equal to the point total awarded for throwing a ball through a ring, such that a team automatically earns the amount of points necessary to win the game if that team throws a ball through a ring. In one embodiment, once a team reaches the winning point total, the opposing team can be given an additional throw to tie or exceed the other team's score, in which case the game can go into an overtime period or end. In one such an embodiment, the opposing team is only awarded an additional throw if that team was not the first-throwing team, i.e., the starting team.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the game can be played using method of play 200 with a point system that incorporates performing challenges in an activity area once a team strikes the post, or a feature of the post. In such an embodiment, members from the same team can start near the same post or at different posts. In order for the field to become “open” for scoring points, a post or feature of the post must be struck with a ball, or a ball must be thrown through a feature of the post. Once the field is open for scoring points, the thrower's teammate must retrieve the ball and then run to a position near a post. The teammates can then proceed to alternate throwing the ball at the posts 160. At the same time, the opposing team's members must reposition themselves in the activity area where they must complete a predetermined challenge 210. The predetermined challenge can be any challenge or activity as would be understood by a person skilled in the art, such as, but not limited to: performing a set number of push-ups, for example 10 push-ups; singing a pre-determined song in its entirety; or drinking a pre-determined amount of a beverage.

In such an embodiment, if the team throwing the ball at the posts hits a post, or throws the ball through a feature of the post, before the opposing team finishes the activity, the throwing team receives one or more points and gets another turn to throw at a post. The points can be awarded based on criteria previously described, for example, striking a flag or throwing the ball through a ring or hoop is worth more points than simply striking the staff. In one embodiment, the throwing team can continue to throw at a post to score points until the opposing team completes the activity. In one embodiment, once the opposing team finishes the predetermined activity it is the opposing team's turn to throw at a post. In one embodiment, one or more points can be awarded to the team performing the activity in the activity area if they complete the predetermined activity before the throwing team completes any scoring throws (i.e., striking the post or throwing the ball through a feature of the post). Gameplay can continue until one team reaches or exceeds the amount of points necessary to win, as described elsewhere herein.

In one embodiment, the post used for the game of the present invention can be stabilized by sticking a portion of the post into the ground. In such an embodiment, the post can include a pointed or spiked portion that can be pushed into the ground with relative ease, for example when the game is being played on grass or sand. In another embodiment, the post can be stabilized via a stand, such as a tripod or other mechanism for keeping the post upright and relatively stable. In yet another embodiment, the post can include a weighted base. The posts can be made from any suitable material, for example plastic, metal, or wood.

In various embodiments, the posts used in the game of the present invention can include features or portions for which different point amounts can be assigned. Examples of features or designs of the post that can be used can include, but are not limited to: sections of the post can have different colors and/or patterns, wherein different point values can be assigned to each color and/or pattern; one or more flags can be connected to the post; the post can comprise one or more openings, wherein the openings are in the shape of a circle, i.e., a hoop or ring, or in some other shape, for example a square, rectangle, oval, or triangle; and the dimensions and/or shape of the post can vary, including variations in dimensions or shape within different portions of a single post. However, the post of the present invention is not limited to any specific embodiment described herein, and can be any shape or size, and include any type of feature, that can be used to differentiate portions of the post for the purposes of increasing or decreasing the difficulty of striking that portion of the post with a ball and/or for the purposes of differentiating the scoring values assigned to striking a portion of the post.

The game of the present invention can be played with any number of players and/or teams. In one embodiment, the game can be played with only two individual players playing against each other. In other embodiments, the game can be played with opposing teams comprising two or more players. However, the game of the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein and can include any number of teams and/or players. For example, in one embodiment, the game of the present invention can be played with three teams of two or more players each. Accordingly, the game of the present invention can be adapted to be played with more than two posts, for example, three posts can be used for three teams, four posts can be used for four teams, and so on.

In one embodiment, each player must be positioned behind a post before throwing the ball at an opposite post. In such an embodiment, a “foul line” or other marking can be made on the playing surface to designate where the throwers must be positioned. Further, in such an embodiment, a player's team can be penalized if they throw the ball when out of position, i.e., if they commit a “foul,” for example the player's team can lose a turn, the player's throw can be disregarded, or the player's team can have one or more points deducted from their point total.

The game of the present invention can be played with any type of ball or projectile. For example, the ball or projectile can be an American football, a baseball, a Frisbee disk, a soccer ball, or any other type of ball or projectile. Further, the ball or projectile can be thrown or tossed using any method. For example, the ball can be thrown using only a player's hands, or the ball or projectile can be thrown via some other method, for example, using the player's feet, i.e., kicking the ball, or the ball can be thrown or sent into motion using an instrument, such as a tennis racquet, a lacrosse stick, or a baseball bat. Accordingly, the game of the present invention is not limited to any specific type of ball or projectile, or any method of throwing or tossing the ball or projectile. Further, as would be understood by a person skilled in the art, the posts used for the game of the present invention can be sized and/or configured depending on the type of ball or projectile used. For example, the size or shape of a ring or opening in the posts can be modified to accommodate the ball or projectile used.

The disclosures of each and every patent, patent application, and publication cited herein are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. While this invention has been disclosed with reference to specific embodiments, it is apparent that other embodiments and variations of this invention may be devised by others skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. The appended claims are intended to be construed to include all such embodiments and equivalent variations. 

1. A method of play for a ball tossing game comprising: assigning players to two teams, determining a starting team and non-starting team from the two teams, placing a first post and a second post at opposite ends of a playing area, positioning a starting team player near the first post, positioning a non-starting team player near the second post, positioning any remaining starting team players near the first post or the second post, positioning any remaining non-starting team players near the first post or the second post, tossing a ball by the starting team player at the second post, wherein if the ball strikes a portion of the second post at least one point is awarded to the starting team, tossing the ball by the non-starting team player at the first post, wherein if the ball strikes a portion of the first post at least one point is awarded to the starting team, and alternating tosses of the ball between the starting team and the non-starting team until a team matches or exceeds a predetermined winning point total, wherein any player positioned near the first post tosses the ball at the second post, and any player positioned near the second post tosses the ball at the first post.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein if the starting team matches or exceeds the predetermined point total before the non-starting team, the non-starting team is given one additional toss to meet or exceed the point total starting team.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the starting team and non-starting team each comprises two players.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first post and the second post each comprise a staff portion.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the first post and the second post each comprise one or more flags.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein if a player strikes a portion of the one or more flags with a tossed ball the player is awarded one or more points.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the point total awarded for striking a portion of the one or more flags is greater than the point total for striking the staff portion.
 8. The method of claim 4, wherein the first post and the second post each comprise one or more rings or hoops.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein if a player tosses the ball through a ring or hoop the player is awarded one or more points.
 10. The method of claim 9, where the point total awarded for tossing the ball through a ring or hoop is greater than the point total for striking the staff portion.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the point total awarded for tossing the ball through a ring or hoop is equal to the predetermined winning point total.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the playing area further comprises an activity area.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein when a player strikes a post with a tossed ball, opposing team players are repositioned to the activity area.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the opposing team players perform a predetermined activity after being repositioned in the activity area.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein while the opposing team players are positioned in the activity area, the players from the team whose player struck the post with a tossed ball toss the ball at a post at an opposite end of the playing area.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein when the opposing team players complete the predetermined activity, the post-striking team stop tossing the ball at a post.
 17. An apparatus for a ball tossing game comprising: two or more posts, wherein each post comprises a staff portion, and a set of instructions for playing a ball tossing game according to the method of claim
 1. 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein each post comprises one or more rings connected to the staff portion, said one or more rings having an opening suitably sized to allow the ball pass through.
 19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein each post comprises one or more flags connected to the staff portion.
 20. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a ball. 